The former British Cycling performance director and INEOS Grenadiers team principal (formerly Team Sky) has inherited a seat on the United board. He is currently leading an audit into the club’s operations. While Brailsford’s experience in football is limited, he boasts an impressive track record of excellence across different sports. The 59-year-old is helping identify and appoint elite football brains to make up United’s upgraded sporting structure.
Omar Berrada is already through the door as chief executive, leaving Manchester City this summer. Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth looks set to join him as sporting director. Brailsford will undoubtedly be picking the brains of highly respected figures at United to help with his thorough review of the club’s failures over the past decade. Sir Alex Ferguson has previously given Sir Dave Brailsford advice.
He has been spotted seated next to Ferguson and near the legendary Scotsman’s ex-chief executive David Gill at games since United confirmed Ratcliffe had emerged from their strategic review as the preferred bidder. His discussions with Ferguson will be nothing new, and the pair were involved in a particularly fruity exchange during his rule at the Manchester Velodrome. Brailsford built an empire during his time at the helm of British Cycling, often finding any way he could to secure marginal gains at what was later dubbed ‘the gold medal factory’. Ferguson visited Brailsford at the Manchester Velodrome and also welcomed him to his home to discuss how to ensure every member of a team was committed to the same goal.